Is it dumb to even consider a spacer lift?

MainLineRenegade · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:49 pm

My jeep needs new tires soon, but I want to lift it a little so I can get somewhat larger tires and make it look a little more badass :lol:

My question - is a spacer lift gonna F up my shocks? I don't want to spend a ton of money here, already looking at at least 800-1000 for tires and spacers, and I'm not a big time off-roader (suburban/urban settings, not alot of options). Looking at the "available lifts" thread I'm thinking of getting the Rusty's 2.5" for $160... or should I just pop the extra 100 and go for the spring tech springs/shocks? I'm somewhat of a noob when it comes to Jeeps, though I have done suspension installs on my audi and vw (to lower the car haha). Is the spacer install easy? Oh and, what would be an advisable tire size with a 2.5" lift, stock renegade wheels, and ideally no spacers? Thanks for any tips guys, I'm trying to learn :wink:

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:02 pm

I would advise that you stay away from that particular spacer lift and anything that rocky road sells. The best spacer lift is daystar. I have never heard of the spring tech lift, no sure anyone here is running it. The best full coil spring lift is the frankenlift, or OME. The rusty's spring lift will eventually sag and will probably have to add a spacer to fix it or switch out to a another spring. What tires are you getting for 800-1000 if your sticking with your stock wheels? Tires should only cost you 500-700. Get a good lift now and you won't regret it later.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:04 pm

I wouldnt get a spacer lift unless it was the Daystar spacer lift. Any spacer lift that puts a spacer outside of the coil-over is a big no-no.

bugnout · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:22 pm

You can't go wrong with the Daystar spacer lifts.

MainLineRenegade · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:46 pm

I'm going to get BFG K/O's, $600 or so for 4 from tirerack. 800-1000 I was estimating that plus the cost of a cheap lift. So the DayStar 2.5" is good stuff, even if I don't get the bump stops & sway bar bushings? I guess the 1.5"/2" lift would be a safe bet too. Anyone have pics of such a small lift?

501 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:46 pm

I'm running the Daystar and so far I love it. I got it for 159.00 here: http://www.jeeperz-creeperz.com/comfort-ride-lift-p-3972.html?osCsid=1b3478c19d5ff627d3eaaf3a7d594f71 (Comes with front bumpstops and swaybar bushings)

I also picked up some Sky Jacker shocks for a 2 1/2" lift at Jegs: http://www.jegs.com/i/Skyjacker/825/H7060/10002/-1

I've only had it on for about a month but I love the new look and it rides great.

MainLineRenegade · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:49 pm

501, that sounds perfect. And a great deal on the daystar too. Did you just get 4 of those shocks, same for front and rear? Also what size tires did/would you go with? Thanks for the info

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:15 pm

you only need 2 shocks. You can re-use the struts you have now, for the front. Or you can replace them with Rancho RSX17505 struts

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:34 pm

jeepkj02 wrote:

The rusty's spring lift will eventually sag and will probably have to add a spacer to fix it or switch out to a another spring.

Why is it OME springs SETTLE and Rusty's springs SAG?

seems like 6 in one, half a dozen in the other to me.

the rusty's coil lift will be fine.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:53 pm

OME may settle some as it works into place, as any spring does when you install new, RUSTYS sag over time because they are no better than stock, just a little longer for lift. You get what you pay for. Rustys are OK, but weaker, you can not compare Rustys at 310 LB to OME mediums at 375 lbs or Heavy Dutys at 400 lbs. My OME HDs have over 60,000 and are still where they were 2 weeks after I installed them. ( after they settled in :wink:

)

Tom

SoDakJeep · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:17 pm

pm me i have the rear 2.5 in daystar spacers for sale and then you would just need to get the fronts.

SoDakJeep · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 7:41 pm

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=31205 375.00 full rustys coil. this is what i have and i love it.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:18 pm

bugnout wrote:

You can't go wrong with the Daystar spacer lifts.

Yes you can and YES you will go wrong with a spacer lift, of any kind.

And Yes it is wrong to consider a spacer lift. Waste of money and time. save your money, save it lonbger and get a good suspension lift and ou will be very happy.

501 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:52 pm

MainLineRenegade wrote:

501, that sounds perfect. And a great deal on the daystar too. Did you just get 4 of those shocks, same for front and rear? Also what size tires did/would you go with? Thanks for the info

Like stated above, I only bought 2 (for the rear) and re-used the stock struts. I'm trying to decide on tires now. Hoping to get 265/70/16' on soft 8's but not sure how much trimmimg I'll have to do but I like the looks of them.

If you wheel a lot you might want to save your money up and go with the OME, I don't wheel a lot, but wanted the look, that's why I went with the Daystar.

Just saw this here: http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=31205&highlight= have no idea how good they are though.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:22 pm

WoodysKJ wrote:

bugnout wrote:

You can't go wrong with the Daystar spacer lifts.

Yes you can and YES you will go wrong with a spacer lift, of any kind.

And Yes it is wrong to consider a spacer lift. Waste of money and time. save your money, save it lonbger and get a good suspension lift and ou will be very happy.

What is your reasoning for this? If the guy isnt going to be putting heavy bumpers or doing series offroading wheres the harm with the daystar lift? Many people run it with no problems.

InCommando · **Posted:** Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:18 pm

Man,many of us (like me) have come from asking some pretty basic questions that should be common knowledge to being bona fide experts (ahem) in a short time.

Troysterr · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:33 am

I've had the Combo lift from Rocky Road for a few years now, and I have no complaints. The only problem is that my 7 year-old OEM springs are finally sagging, and I've got a few hundred extra pounds of skids and bumper, so I'm going to go ahead and swap out the Combo kit for a Frankenlift.

The biggest problem with the RRO Combo kit is that you have to deal with RRO. :evil:

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:41 am

The biggest problem with the RRO Combo kit is that you have to deal with RRO. :evil:

[/quote]

That alone is enough not to buy that kit or any from them :roll:

Tom

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:13 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

WoodysKJ wrote:

bugnout wrote:

You can't go wrong with the Daystar spacer lifts.

Yes you can and YES you will go wrong with a spacer lift, of any kind.

And Yes it is wrong to consider a spacer lift. Waste of money and time. save your money, save it lonbger and get a good suspension lift and ou will be very happy.

What is your reasoning for this? If the guy isnt going to be putting heavy bumpers or doing series offroading wheres the harm with the daystar lift? Many people run it with no problems.

It is not my reasoning. More people have had problems with their spacer lifts than not it seams. Just read the posts on here.

That is why I did the suspension lift. Reading the horor stories on her about spacer lifts going bad and costing more money and doing more damage in the long run. A suspension lift might cost more, but the lack of constant maintanance and issues makes it well worth it to me.

moose · **Posted:** Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:32 am

Spacer vs. sussension lift is a holy war issue, like PC vs. Mac, Coke vs. Pepsi, Cub vs. Sox, etc. People are usually polarized on this issue, so take that into account. I've nver run a spacer lift, but lots of people do, and like them; some have had problems. Lots of people run suspension lifts; some of them have problems too - just different problems. I can see going with a Daystar or a RevTek kit (and I almost did until I found a used FrankenLift) if you just don't have the cash. After all, as long as you enjoy working on the KJ, you can always remove the spacer lift and post it for sale later when/if you upgade to an OME or other. Also, read up on doing a clevis lift that can be used in addition to add an extra .5" or so.

Is it dumb to even consider a spacer lift?

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